New Google phone better than iPhone

Google will expand its sphere of influence yet again next month when the G1 mobile handset is released to the masses.

Intended to be available Oct. 22, this new smart phone has been pegged as the Apple iPhone’s biggest competitor.

Physically, the G1 incorporates buttons and a flip-out keyboard, whereas the iPhone relies on its touch-screen to serve these functions. Having these tangible keys rather than a flat sensitive surface is great for those of us who are tactile in nature, and it helps to reduce errors for some.

The big news, however, is in the software.

The G1, available exclusively from T-Mobile and crafted by Taiwanese company HTC, runs an operating system known as Android.

Android is open-source, which means Google provides the source code to interested developers so they can create applications for the system.

Despite Apple’s AppStore for the iPhone, for developers to have their applications made available, they not only have to be approved as developers but each application is set to Apple’s meticulous and sometimes vague standards.

Google’s Android Market is the counter to the AppStore, and Google suggests the options are limitless. But don’t expect there to be absolutely no policing done on these applications – just because Google allows a competitive Web browser doesn’t mean malware and disruptive applications will go unchecked.

And the concern for viruses is valid.

In an NPR interview, Joshua Topolsky of engadget.com addressed this fear by insisting the G1 is only “a little more at risk” because of its open-source nature and devices running Windows hadn’t yet experienced this threat to a large degree.

Hopefully Google will be able to maintain the fine line between developer freedom and keeping its technology clear of unwanted intrusions.

Much like the first iPhone, the G1 has come a long way, but it still has quite a long way to go.

E-mail Meghan Dornbrock at website@unfspinnaker.com.